Away from the centre of the capital, where should you head? Four writers reveal their favourite haunts in four very different parts of town

North London

Welcome to posh, sleazy, urban, leafy, cultured, gritty north London,
wellspring of British rock’n’roll, home of the capital’s top football clubs
and maybe the most civilised place on earth — as proven by the location of
Lord’s cricket ground (lords.org;
tours £15).

By day
Hampstead Heath offers 790 acres of bucolic loveliness, open-air swimming,
incongruously rural picnic spots and the best views of the London skyline,
while just to the east there’s Parliament Hill Fields, with a terrific lido
(Gordon House Road, NW5; £2) and a decent cafe. Spot of shopping? For
upmarket boutiques, try Islington’s Upper Street. For treasure hunting, and
a whole lotta goths, try Camden Stables Market. Speaking of goths, don’t
forget Highgate Cemetery (highgate-cemetery.org;
entry £3, tours £7), infamous vampire sanctuary and resting place of
celebrities such as Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer.